About Arnold

A Filipino tech guy who reluctantly pursued entrepreneurship and now leads TeamSparrow, a team of web developers, designers and marketers based in Mandaluyong City, Philippines. A husband, father and a follower of Jesus.

Category: the Life!

We’re almost there. Almost done with Typhoon “Ruby” (international name, “Hagupit”). As I contemplate on what happened in the past 3 days, I realized that typhoon Ruby, or any other storms are just like life:

In life, you will experience storms. It’s not a matter IF, it’s a matter of WHEN.

In life, sometimes, the hardships seem endless. But really, it’s not. Its just passing through and sunlight is soon to dawn.

In life, there really is no reason for us to not be prepared for an up coming problem and storm. Our parents and/or friends sometimes knew when a storm is about to hit. Sometimes because they’ve been there, or it’s just pure wisdom. Are you going listen? Or pride will sink you out? Our survival depends on how we respond to early warning from the people that love us.

In a typhoon, the “eye” is calm. In life, even if we’re in the very “eye of the storm”, we can still be calm if we know that there’s someone stronger than our problems control the storm. For most people, including myself, that person is Jesus. Even in the midst of a painful situation, Jesus’ life, death and resurrection is an assurance that there is so much bigger than my pains in life. And that gives me assurance and peace.

In life, storms can make you stronger to face bigger storms.

In life, picking up the pieces and starting all over again is probably the hardest but most fulfilling task. There is always hope for a new beginning.

I like it to be simple and focus on the main thing. And for me, the gospel is the main thing. Even how common we hear about the gospel, we often miss it out by cluttering it with the trivial things and religion itself.

So, here’s what I believe is the pure gospel. Everything that I do, everything that I believe in, everything that I dream of doing in the future — it all revolves around and decided within the framework of this simple truth about the gospel.

You are not an accident. Your parents may not have planned you, but God did. He wanted you alive and created you for a purpose. Focusing on yourself will never reveal your purpose. You were made by God and for God, and until you understand that, life will never make sense. Only in God do we discover our origin, our identity, our meaning, our purpose, our significance, and our destiny.

Are you confident because you’re beautiful, or are you beautiful because you’re confident?

Take it from a man — we know the difference.

You can be someone who’s 45 and wanting to look 25 to regain confidence. Or an 18 years old who wants to look prettier because you lack confidence.

Or you can be confident enough to walk around and feel beautiful because you know who you are.

Do you want to be Belo-fied?

I’m not downplaying cosmetics and hair spa or whatever those things girls and ladies do for beauty’s sake, but what I know is that there’s no amount of Belo-fication can replace being confident for who you are. Its you who knows your strengths and weaknesses. Rejoice in your strengths and accept your weaknesses. And believe that the Creator did not make a mistake when He designed you as you are right now.

PS: As a married man, I just have to say this. My wife is blessed to look 12 years younger without really exerting much effort. Call me arrogant, but I just think it’s a blessing that I should be thankful for. Having said that, she’s the most confident woman I have ever seen. She knows her weakness and strengths. And she knows her standing in Christ. That, to me, cannot be replaced by any cosmetics.